Daniel
The book of Daniel tells the story of Daniel, a young Israelite who was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and rose to prominence in the kingdom due to his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and visions. Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to worship the king's idols and were miraculously protected by God when they were thrown into a furnace. Daniel interpreted several dreams and visions for the king, including one that foretold the rise and fall of various kingdoms, and was promoted to a high rank in the kingdom. After Nebuchadnezzar's death, Daniel continued to serve under subsequent kings, including Belshazzar and Darius, and was thrown into a den of lions for disobeying a decree that prohibited prayer to any god except the king. However, God protected Daniel, and he was eventually released and continued to serve the king. The book also contains a series of apocalyptic visions that Daniel received, which foretold the rise and fall of various kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of God's people.
Chapter 1
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took King Jehoiakim and some of the temple vessels as spoils. He then ordered the chief of the eunuchs to bring in young men from Israel, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to be educated in the Chaldean language and customs. Daniel and his friends refused to eat the king's food and drink, instead asking to be tested for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water, after which they appeared healthier than the others. God gave them knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, and they excelled in the king's presence, with Daniel also receiving the ability to interpret visions and dreams.
Chapter 2
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he couldn't remember, and he demanded that his wise men reveal the dream and its interpretation, threatening to kill them if they failed. The wise men told the king that no one could do what he asked, and in anger, the king ordered the execution of all the wise men in Babylon, including Daniel and his companions. Daniel asked for time to reveal the solution to the king and prayed to God for wisdom. God revealed the dream to Daniel in a vision, and Daniel interpreted the dream for the king, explaining that the dream was about a great statue with different parts made of gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay, which represented a series of kingdoms that would rise and fall. The final kingdom would be destroyed by a stone, symbolizing the kingdom of God, which would last forever. The king was impressed by Daniel's wisdom and promoted him to a high rank, giving him many gifts and appointing him as leader over the provinces of Babylon.
Chapter 3
King Nebuchadnezzar built a gold statue and ordered everyone to worship it, threatening to throw anyone who refused into a furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish officials, refused to worship the statue, and despite being thrown into the furnace, they were unharmed and even walked around in the fire, praising God. An angel of the Lord protected them, and when they emerged from the furnace, they were unscathed. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and praised the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, issuing a decree that anyone who spoke against their God would be punished. He then promoted the three men in the province of Babylon.
Chapter 4
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that terrified him, and he called upon his wise men to interpret it, but they were unable to do so. Daniel, also known as Belteshazzar, was then called upon to interpret the dream, which was about a great tree that was cut down, but its stump was left intact. Daniel explained that the tree represented Nebuchadnezzar, who would be punished by God for his arrogance, and would be driven away from men to live with beasts for seven years. Despite Daniel's warning, Nebuchadnezzar did not change his ways, and the prophecy was fulfilled when he was suddenly struck with madness and lived like an animal for seven years. After his sanity was restored, Nebuchadnezzar praised and glorified God, acknowledging His power and authority.
Chapter 5
King Belshazzar held a feast for his nobles, using the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem, and they drank wine and praised their idols. Suddenly, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall, causing the king to become frightened and call for his wise men to interpret the writing. However, they were unable to do so, and the queen suggested calling Daniel, who was known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. Daniel was brought before the king and explained that the writing was a message from God, stating that Belshazzar's kingdom was numbered and finished, he had been weighed and found lacking, and his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Despite being rewarded by the king, Daniel's interpretation was fulfilled that same night, as Belshazzar was killed and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.
Chapter 6
King Darius appointed 120 governors and three leaders, including Daniel, to oversee his kingdom. Daniel excelled and the king considered promoting him, but the other leaders conspired against him, finding no fault except his devotion to God. They convinced the king to issue a decree that no one could pray to any god except the king for 30 days, and Daniel was thrown into a den of lions for disobeying. However, God sent an angel to protect Daniel, and he was unharmed, leading the king to reverse the decree and have Daniel's accusers thrown to the lions instead.
Chapter 7
Daniel had a dream in which four beasts rose from the sea, each representing a different kingdom. The first was like a lion, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard, and the fourth was a powerful and terrifying beast with ten horns. The fourth beast was eventually destroyed, and the kingdom was given to the saints of the Most High God. The fourth beast represented a kingdom that would be greater than all others, devour the earth, and be ruled by ten kings, with a final king rising up to speak against God and persecute the holy ones before being defeated.
Chapter 8
Daniel has a vision of a ram with two horns, representing the king of the Medes and Persians, which is defeated by a he-goat with a single horn, representing the king of the Greeks. The he-goat's horn is broken and replaced by four horns, symbolizing four kings who will rise from the Greek kingdom. A king with a shameless face will then arise, prosper, and execute the successful and the people of the saints, but will ultimately be knocked down without a hand. The vision is interpreted by Gabriel, who explains that it will occur after many days, and Daniel is instructed to seal the vision.
Chapter 9
Daniel prayed to God, confessing the sins of Israel and asking for mercy, acknowledging that the desolation of Jerusalem was a result of their disobedience to God's laws and prophets. He asked God to turn away His anger and restore the city and the holy mountain. While Daniel was still praying, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, explaining that 70 weeks of years were decreed for Israel and Jerusalem to finish transgression, sin, and iniquity, and to bring in everlasting justice. Gabriel also revealed that the Christ leader would be slain after 69 weeks of years, and a covenant would be confirmed with many for one week of years, but would be cut short by the abomination of desolation.
Chapter 10
Daniel mourned and fasted for three weeks, then had a vision of a man clothed in linen with a radiant appearance, who spoke to him in a voice like a multitude. Daniel was the only one who saw the vision, and he was left trembling and weak. The man told Daniel that he had been sent to him because of his prayers and that he would teach him what would happen to his people in the latter days. The man also revealed that he had been delayed by the leader of the kingdom of the Persians, but was helped by Michael, and that he would soon return to fight against the leader of the Persians.
Chapter 11
A series of kings will rise in Persia, with the fourth king being particularly powerful and wealthy. He will stir up conflict with the kingdom of Greece, but a strong king will rise in Greece and defeat him. The kingdom will then be divided among four winds, but not to the king's posterity. A king of the South will form an alliance with the king of the North, but it will ultimately fail. The king of the North will prevail and carry away the king of the South's gods and precious vessels. The king of the South will eventually challenge the king of the North, but will be defeated. A despicable king will rise in the North and will deceive and defeat many, including the king of the South. He will also desecrate the holy sanctuary and set up the abomination of desolation. The king will eventually be defeated by the king of the South and the king of the North, but not before he has conquered many lands, including Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia.
Chapter 12
Michael will rise up to defend God's people during a time of great distress, and those whose names are written in the book will be saved. Many will be resurrected, some to eternal life and others to eternal shame. Those who have taught and led others to righteousness will shine like stars. The events described will occur at the end of a period of time, times, and half a time, after which the holy people will be purified and the wicked will be punished.
Chapter 13
Two elderly judges, appointed to govern the people, became infatuated with Joakim's beautiful wife Susanna and attempted to seduce her while she was bathing in her husband's orchard. When she refused, they falsely accused her of adultery with a young man, and the people believed them, condemning her to death. However, God intervened through the prophet Daniel, who exposed the judges' lies by questioning them separately and revealing their contradictory testimonies, ultimately leading to their execution and Susanna's acquittal.
Chapter 14
The king worshipped the idol Bel, but Daniel refused, saying he only worshipped the living God. Daniel proved that Bel was not a living god by showing the king the secret entrance the priests used to eat the offerings. The king then gave Daniel permission to destroy the dragon the Babylonians worshipped, which Daniel did by feeding it a mixture of pitch, fat, and hair. The Babylonians were enraged and demanded the king hand over Daniel, who was then thrown into a den of lions. However, God sent the prophet Habakkuk to feed Daniel, and on the seventh day, the king found Daniel unharmed and had those who had plotted against him thrown into the den, where they were devoured by the lions.
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